In April 2019, The American Heart Association in Tucson, Arizona
Tucson Heart Walk 2019 Event is Here!
started collecting for their annual Heart Walk, but they received an unexpected sponsor this year: Niantic Labs. Getting Niantic engaged was the work of one community member named Greg Taylor, who contacted them through email and asked if they wanted to be part and conduct a special event in conjunction with the walk. They conversed, and finally, Niantic approved this approach, and the team “Luvdisc Your Heart” was formed. Greg had said that the event sounded like a nice match, being about improving one's health, so it didn't hurt to inquire if Niantic would be interested in participating.
This incident spread like wildfire not just in Tucson, but also across the state. Luvdisc Your Heart had 446 registered walkers, making it the greatest team by number of registered walkers, and raised $8,990, exceeding the $3,000 objective. Also, Niantic Labs was the ‘Bring a Ball' sponsor, so those who brought a ball to the event received a poster and a Niantic Labs sticker. The balls were given to the Boys and Girls Club of Tucson in order to offer sporting equipment to children in need. The Niantic Team contributed almost 300 balls to this cause.
Pokémon GO also featured an event based on the Heart event. Over the two weeks leading up to the event, the park was transformed into a Luvdisc nest, with unique American Heart Association PokéStops, enhanced spawn rates, and continual Lures.
TUCSON HEART WALK PVP
Before the main event, Tucson communities sponsored a big PvP tournament in partnership with other community platforms in other cities. This tournament was conducted at a Peter Piper Pizza and was divided into two sorts of combat: open ranked and ranked battles a TSR Kingdom Cup tournament.
The open division had 23 participants, while the Kingdom Cup had 35. This was one of Tucson's biggest tournaments, and it was a fantastic occasion for everybody that participated. The YouTube videos mentioned above show highlights from this tournament.
Although they expected about 5000 people to come, this event proved to be an excellent way to bring the community together, not only for Pokémon GO. Hospital programs, survivors, donation and freebie kiosks, and much more were among the event's exhibitors. There were local healthy food trucks, live music, and characters like Lub Dub. This was a fantastic chance for folks to learn more about stroke and heart disease symptoms, indications, and warning signs. Since stroke is the leading cause of disability, it is vital to act quickly when presented with one.
LOOKING AHEAD
After the event, an email was sent to all guests informing them that the American Heart Association was already contacting Niantic about being a sponsor again in 2020, in order to bring another event like this one to Tucson.
The American Heart Association organizes walks and other awareness events around the nation, so you may be able to contact Niantic and have them fund an event near you. You may check their website to see if there is a Heart Walk near you: American Heart Association Heart Walk. Keep in mind that many other organizations, not only the AHA, may hold walks or events to raise awareness and funding for different health issues. If you want to try organizing an event like this to raise awareness about a problem that is important to you, check for events in the news or on the websites of major health organizations in your area.
